The Mediterranean Date Night You Deserve
Shared dips, slow-roasted shawarma, warm pita, and lemon mint lemonade. A date night built around food that brings you closer to the table -- and to each other.
4.8 stars on Yelp (92 reviews) -- Open 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Why Mediterranean Food Is Made for Date Night
It is not just about the food. It is about how the food makes you eat together.
Most date night restaurants serve you separate plates on opposite sides of the table. You eat your food. Your date eats theirs. You talk between bites, but the meal itself is a parallel experience, not a shared one. Mediterranean dining flips that entirely. The food goes to the center of the table. Both people reach for the same hummus bowl, tear from the same pita stack, and taste from the same shawarma bowls. The format is inherently intimate because it requires proximity, coordination, and trust. You are not just eating near someone -- you are eating with them.
Designed for Sharing
Mediterranean dining is built around shared plates. Hummus, baba ghanouj, warm pita, and dips placed at the center of the table create a natural intimacy. You reach, scoop, and taste together. There is no awkward division of entrees, no waiting for separate plates. Every bite is collaborative, and that makes it personal.
Conversation-Friendly Pacing
A Mediterranean meal unfolds in courses -- dips and bread first, then mains, then something sweet. Each course arrives at its own pace, giving you time to talk between bites. The meal does not rush you. It does not leave you staring at empty plates waiting for a check. It moves at the speed of good conversation.
Bold Flavors Without Heavy Portions
Shawarma, falafel, hummus, and fresh tabbouleh deliver layered, satisfying flavor without the heaviness of a steak dinner or a pasta mountain. You leave feeling energized, not weighed down. That matters on a date night when you want to feel good after the meal, not ready for a nap on the couch.
Something New to Discover Together
If your date has never tried labneh, zaatar manaeesh, or fresh lemon mint lemonade, sharing those first tastes creates a memory. Trying new food together is one of the simplest ways to build connection. Mediterranean cuisine has enough familiar touchpoints to feel approachable and enough depth to surprise.
Dietary Flexibility Built In
One person eats plant-based, the other wants meat. Mediterranean menus handle this without compromise. Falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj, and labneh satisfy vegetarian and vegan guests. Chicken and beef shawarma satisfy meat lovers. Both people eat well from the same spread, without separate orders or substitutions.
Affordable Enough to Do Often
A date night at a steakhouse runs $80-120 before drinks. A full Mediterranean spread for two at Taza -- appetizers, mains, drinks, and dessert -- runs $35-50. That price difference means date night can be a weekly habit instead of a monthly event. Consistency builds connection more than extravagance.
Slow-Roasted. Shaved Fresh. Every Order.
Our chicken and beef shawarma turn on the vertical spit for hours. Every slice is carved to order -- never pre-cut, never reheated.
How to Plan the Perfect Date Night Order
Four courses, two people, one table. This is the sequence.
Start: Dips & Bread
Hummus + Baba Ghanouj + Pita Bread
Order as appetizers. They arrive fast and set the tone.
Begin with two dips and a stack of warm pita. Hummus brings creamy, garlicky richness. Baba ghanouj adds smoky depth from fire-roasted eggplant. Tear the pita, scoop, share. This is the opening act -- it slows you down, gets your hands moving, and starts the conversation over food instead of menus. At Taza, hummus is $4.95 and baba ghanouj is $4.95. Add a labneh ($4.95) if you want the full trio.
Main: Shawarma for Two
1 Chicken Shawarma Bowl + 1 Beef Shawarma Bowl
Order with the appetizers. Arrives after dips are half-finished.
The main event. One chicken shawarma bowl and one beef shawarma bowl let you both taste two different proteins. Chicken is tender with cumin, turmeric, and garlic. Beef is richer with warm spices like cinnamon and allspice. Both come over rice or greens with fresh toppings. Slide the bowls to the center and eat from both. Chicken bowl is from $12.45, beef bowl is from $12.45.
Sweet Finish: Dessert
Harissa cake or Rice Pudding
Order after the mains. Small and satisfying.
Mediterranean desserts are not overwhelming. Harissa -- a semolina cake soaked in sweet syrup -- is dense, moist, and just sweet enough. Rice pudding scented with rose water and cinnamon is light and comforting. Either one works as a shared dessert. Split a single portion or order one each if you both have a sweet tooth. These are $1.99 to $2.95 -- a fraction of what dessert costs at a full-service restaurant.
Drink: Lemon Mint Lemonade
2 Lemon Mint drinks or a smoothie to share
Order with the meal. Sip throughout.
Lemon mint lemonade is the signature Mediterranean drink. Fresh-squeezed lemon, fragrant mint, and a touch of sweetness. It is bright, refreshing, and pairs with everything on the table. At $5.95 each, two lemon mint drinks cost less than a single cocktail at most date night spots. Alternatively, split one of Taza's fruit smoothies for a richer option.
Mediterranean Date Night vs Standard Chain Date Night
What changes when you trade the usual dinner-and-drinks for a shared Mediterranean spread.
| Category | Mediterranean Date Night at Taza | Standard Chain Restaurant Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Style | Shared plates, communal dips, family-style eating | Separate entrees, individual portions, divided plates |
| Conversation Flow | Multi-course pacing encourages lingering and talking | Single entree arrives, eaten quickly, wait for dessert |
| Flavor Variety | 6-8 distinct flavors per meal (dips, proteins, sauces, bread) | 1-2 main flavors per plate (protein + starch) |
| Dietary Flexibility | Vegan, vegetarian, halal, and gluten-friendly options standard | Limited substitutions, often at extra cost |
| Total Cost for Two | $35-50 for appetizers, mains, drinks, and dessert | $70-120+ for comparable courses with drinks |
| Portion Control | Small plates and bowls -- eat until satisfied, not stuffed | Large entree portions designed for one -- finish or waste |
| Discovery Factor | Try hummus, labneh, zaatar, shawarma -- new flavors together | Familiar dishes you have both had before |
| Post-Dinner Energy | Lean proteins, fresh vegetables, olive oil -- energized after | Heavy cream sauces, large steaks, fried sides -- sluggish after |
| Speed of Service | Dips in 5 min, bowls in 10 min -- no long waits | 20-40 minute wait for entrees at sit-down chains |
| Repeat Value | Affordable enough for weekly date nights | Price limits to monthly or special-occasion only |
Date Night at Taza: Three Menus for Two
Budget, classic, or splurge. Every option covers appetizers, mains, drinks, and dessert.
The Budget Date
Simple, delicious, under $30
Proof that date night does not need to drain your wallet. One shared hummus with pita to start. One bowl and one pita as mains -- slide them center-table and share bites. Two lemon mints to sip through the meal. You leave full, you leave happy, and you still have gas money to drive home. This is the date night you can do every Tuesday without thinking about it.
The Classic Date
The full spread for two
This is the date night everyone pictures. Two dips and warm pita to open. Both chicken and beef shawarma bowls as the main course, slid to the middle of the table. Lemon mint lemonade throughout. A small shared dessert to close. Four courses, two people, every flavor covered. At around fifty dollars total, this is a full restaurant experience at a fraction of the usual cost.
The Splurge Date
Go all out -- still under $65
The full Mediterranean experience for two. Three dips -- hummus, baba ghanouj, and labneh -- with a generous stack of pita. Both shawarma bowls for the main course. A lemon mint each plus a shared smoothie. Two different desserts to close. This is the date where you try everything on the table and discover a new favorite. Even at the splurge level, you are still under seventy dollars for two people.
What to Drink on a Mediterranean Date Night
Non-alcoholic pairings that complement every course without the bar tab.
One of the underrated advantages of a Mediterranean date night is the drink menu. Lemon mint lemonade, fresh-blended smoothies, and sparkling citrus beverages pair with the food better than most wines or cocktails. They are refreshing, they cleanse the palate, and they cost a fraction of alcohol. Two lemon mints at $5.95 each cost less than a single glass of wine at most restaurants. The lower drink bill is one reason the total stays under $50 even with a full spread.
Lemon Mint + Shawarma
The classic pairing. The bright acidity and mint freshness of the lemon mint lemonade cuts through the warm spices and fat of shawarma. It cleanses the palate between bites and keeps each taste of chicken or beef feeling as vivid as the first. This is the default drink order at Mediterranean restaurants for a reason -- it works with everything.
Avocado Boost Smoothie + Dips
The creamy richness of the avocado smoothie mirrors the textures of hummus and labneh. Sipping it between scoops of baba ghanouj and bites of warm pita creates a sustained, velvety experience. The honey sweetness offsets the savory dips. This pairing works best during the appetizer course when the dips are the star.
Tropical Smoothie + Falafel
Mango, pineapple, kiwi, and orange -- the fruit-forward sweetness of the Tropical smoothie contrasts with the herb-heavy, earthy crunch of falafel. The combination feels light and bright, perfect for a warm-weather date night. Order a falafel pita and share a tropical smoothie between courses.
Sanpellegrino Orange + Beef Shawarma
The light carbonation and citrus sweetness of Sanpellegrino Aranciata pairs well with the deeper, richer flavors of beef shawarma. The bubbles and acidity lift the heavier spice profile of cinnamon and allspice. It is a clean, European-style pairing that feels a step above the usual soda-with-dinner routine.
Fresh. Made to Order. Every Time.
Falafel fried crispy to order. Hummus blended from whole chickpeas. Pita baked daily. Nothing sits under a heat lamp.
Making the Most of Your Date Night
Small adjustments that turn a meal into a memorable evening.
Sit Across, Not Next to Each Other
Facing each other makes eye contact natural and conversation direct. Shared plates at the center of a two-top create a physical connection point between you. At Taza, the two-top tables are sized so that everything on the table is within arm's reach of both people.
Order Everything at Once
Place the full order -- dips, mains, drinks, dessert -- when you sit down. This eliminates the stop-and-start of flagging someone for the next course. Food arrives in natural waves: dips first, bowls second, dessert last. You focus on each other instead of on the ordering process.
Put the Phones Away
Mediterranean dining is tactile -- tearing pita, scooping hummus, sharing bites. Your hands are busy, and that is the point. Leave the phones in pockets or bags. The food gives you something to do with your hands and talk about with your mouth. You do not need a screen when the table is this interesting.
Take Your Time
Taza is open until midnight, seven days a week. There is no rush to finish and free up the table for the next reservation. Linger over the last of the hummus. Order a second round of lemon mint. Let the meal stretch to an hour. Mediterranean dining rewards patience -- the last scoop of baba ghanouj tastes as good as the first.
Share Instead of Splitting
Do not divide the bowls into his and hers portions. Leave them at the center of the table. Scoop from the same hummus bowl. Reach for the same pita stack. Sharing food is one of the oldest forms of human bonding, and Mediterranean cuisine is designed around it. Let the format do the work.
Date Night Favorites from Taza's Menu
Every item below works on a shared date night spread. Prices from the current menu.
Chicken Shawarma Bowl
from $12.45The lighter main -- tender, aromatic chicken shawarma over rice or greens with fresh toppings. Pairs with everything on the table. The most popular bowl at Taza and the foundation of the date night spread.
Beef Shawarma Bowl
from $12.45The richer main -- slow-roasted beef with warm spices, deeper and more savory than chicken. Order one chicken and one beef to share both. The contrast between the two proteins makes the meal more interesting.
Hummus
$4.95The essential opener -- creamy chickpea dip with tahini, lemon, and garlic. The first thing on the table and the last thing you scrape clean. Every date night order starts with hummus.
Baba Ghanouj
$4.95The smoky counterpart -- fire-roasted eggplant blended with tahini. Adds depth and variety to the dip spread. Between hummus and baba ghanouj, you have two textures and two flavor profiles to explore.
Labneh
$4.95The cool contrast -- thick strained yogurt drizzled with olive oil and dried mint. Tangy and refreshing, it balances the warmth of the shawarma and the richness of the dips. The third pillar of a complete appetizer spread.
Pita Bread
$0.95The scooping vehicle -- fresh-baked, warm, and pillowy. Without pita, the dips sit untouched. Order at least 3-4 pieces for two people. At $0.95 each, there is no reason to hold back.
Falafel Pita
from $8.95The vegetarian anchor -- crispy chickpea falafel in warm pita with tahini and fresh vegetables. If one person does not eat meat, this is the perfect main. If both eat meat, order it as a shared starter alongside the dips.
Lemon Mint
$5.95The signature drink -- fresh lemon, fragrant mint, and a touch of sweetness. Bright and refreshing, it pairs with every dish on the table. Two of these cost less than a single cocktail at most date night restaurants.
Date Night at Home with Taza Takeout
The same food, your own table, your own pace. Takeout turns any Tuesday into date night.
Not every date night needs to happen at a restaurant. Some of the best date nights happen at your own table with food from a place you trust. Taza's menu is built for takeout -- bowls travel well, dips stay fresh, pita reheats in seconds, and everything can be plated at home in under five minutes. Order online, pick up at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041, and be eating within half an hour. The food is the same whether you eat it at the counter in our shop or at your dining table at home. The only difference is the candlelight.
Order for Pickup at the Right Time
Place your order through Taza's online ordering system 20-30 minutes before you want to eat. Drive to 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041, pick up, and head home. The food stays warm in the containers for the drive. Time it so you walk through the door, set the table, and eat within 10 minutes of pickup.
Transfer Everything to Real Plates
The single fastest way to turn takeout into a date night: plate the food. Pour the hummus into a shallow bowl and drizzle olive oil over the top. Fan the pita on a cutting board. Slide the shawarma bowls onto dinner plates. The same food looks and feels different when it is not eaten from a plastic container.
Set the Table with Intention
Cloth napkins instead of paper towels. Two glasses of water or lemon mint poured from a pitcher. A single candle at the center of the table. These small touches take 3 minutes and signal that this is a date, not just dinner. The food from Taza does the heavy lifting. The table setting provides the frame.
Build a Simple Playlist
Instrumental Arabic music, smooth jazz, or lo-fi beats at low volume. The goal is background texture, not a concert. Keep the volume low enough that conversation is effortless. Music fills the silences between bites and makes the room feel warmer.
Eat in Courses at Your Own Pace
Start with the dips and pita at the table. Leave the shawarma bowls covered on the counter for 10 minutes while you work through the appetizers. Then bring out the mains. Save dessert for later -- eat it on the couch or at the table after a break. The at-home advantage is that you control the pacing entirely.
Save Dessert for After a Walk
Falls Church has quiet streets and mild evenings for much of the year. Eat your dips and mains, then take a short walk around the neighborhood. Come back, put the kettle on, and split the harissa or rice pudding over tea. Stretching the evening across two acts -- dinner and dessert -- makes the night feel longer and more intentional.
14 Fresh Toppings. No Upcharges.
Pickled turnips, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, olives, mint, and more -- all included with every order.
Why Taza Is the Date Night Spot in Falls Church
What makes a Mediterranean date night at Taza different from every other option on Seminary Road.
The shawarma at Taza turns on a vertical spit for hours before it reaches your plate. The chicken is marinated in cumin, turmeric, garlic, and paprika. The beef gets cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom. Both are shaved fresh for every order -- not pre-cut, not sitting in a warming tray. That process produces caramelized edges, tender interiors, and flavor depth that flat-grilled chicken or reheated beef cannot match. On a date night, the quality of the food carries the evening. Taza's spit-roasted shawarma carries it well.
Every component is made from scratch. The hummus is blended from whole chickpeas with tahini, lemon, and garlic. The baba ghanouj starts with eggplant roasted over open flame. The labneh is real strained yogurt with olive oil and dried mint. The falafel is fried to order. The pita is baked fresh daily. The toppings bar has 14 items at no extra charge. Nothing comes from a jar, a can, or a freezer. When you share these dishes on a date night, you are sharing food that was made that day, by hand.
The hours work in your favor. Taza is open 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM, Open 7 Days a Week. A 9 PM date night still gives you three hours to eat, talk, and linger. No rush to finish before closing. No server hovering with the check at 9:45. You set the pace.
The prices are transparent. Chicken shawarma bowls at from $12.45. Beef at from $12.45. Hummus at $4.95. Pita at $0.95. Lemon mint at $5.95. No hidden fees, no automatic gratuity, no upcharge for extra toppings. You see the price, you pay the price. A full date night for two comes in under $50 at the classic level, and that includes four courses.
From-Scratch. Every Day. No Shortcuts.
Hummus from whole chickpeas. Baba ghanouj from fire-roasted eggplant. Falafel fried to order. That is the Taza standard.
Mediterranean Date Night: Your Questions Answered
Taza works well for date night because the menu is designed around sharing. Dips, bowls, and bread go to the center of the table so both people eat from the same spread. The pacing is natural -- appetizers arrive fast, mains follow, and dessert closes the meal. Open until midnight seven days a week, there is no rush to finish. The price point (from $12.45 for a bowl, $4.95 for hummus) keeps a full date night under $50 for two people.
Start with hummus and baba ghanouj with warm pita bread. For mains, order one chicken shawarma bowl and one beef shawarma bowl -- slide them to the center and share both. Add lemon mint lemonade for drinks and split a harissa or rice pudding for dessert. This covers four courses for two people at around $50 total.
A budget date night (one dip, one bowl, one pita, and drinks) runs about $35. The classic spread with two dips, two bowls, drinks, and dessert comes to about $50. Even the splurge order with three dips, two bowls, drinks, a smoothie, and two desserts stays under $70. Compared to chain restaurant date nights that start at $80+, Taza is significantly more affordable.
Yes. Hummus, baba ghanouj, labneh, and falafel are all vegetarian. A vegetarian date night order might include the dip trio with pita, a falafel pita or falafel bowl, and lemon mint drinks. Both people eat well whether one is vegetarian and the other is not, or both follow a plant-based diet.
All meat served at Taza -- chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, and other proteins -- is halal-certified. This makes Taza a reliable date night option for anyone who follows halal dietary guidelines. The full menu, from dips to desserts, is halal-friendly.
Absolutely. Order online for pickup at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041. At home, transfer the food to real plates, set the table, light a candle, and eat in courses. Start with dips and pita, then bring out the shawarma bowls, and save dessert for later. The food stays warm and plates beautifully. A takeout date night from Taza costs the same as dining in and gives you full control over the ambiance.
Lemon mint lemonade is the classic pairing -- bright, refreshing, and complements every dish. The avocado boost smoothie pairs well with dips. Sanpellegrino orange works with richer beef shawarma. For a non-alcoholic malt option, try a Barbican. All drinks at Taza are alcohol-free, keeping the evening clear-headed and the bill low.
Taza is open 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM, Open 7 Days a Week. This means you can start a date night at 9 PM and still have three full hours to eat and linger. Late-night Mediterranean food is a refreshing alternative to the usual pizza-and-bar routine. The kitchen serves the full menu until close.
Plan Your Date Night at Taza
Open 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM, Open 7 Days a Week at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041. Walk in or order online for pickup.
Address
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041
Hours
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM -- Open 7 Days a Week
Phone
Plan Your Mediterranean Date Night
Shared dips, spit-roasted shawarma, warm pita, and lemon mint lemonade. Order online or visit Taza on Seminary Road in Falls Church.